Things To Do

Mount Rushmore National Memorial

The faces that make the Black Hills of South Dakota famous! You can pay to go into the national memorial or you can see it from your car for free while driving past!

Custer State Park Wildlife Loop

WILDLIFE LOOP TRAIL!! A must! This is a gorgeous drive where you are sure to see deer, pronghorn, prairie dogs and our favorites... the Buffalo herd and wild donkey herd! The donkeys love scratches, snacks, and selfies!😜  

Sylvan Lake and Sylvan Lake Lodge

This lake is the location of our proposal! There’s a big hike to Black Elk peak if you’re feeling energetic OR just stroll around Sylvan Lake! It’s gorgeous! You can even swim or rent a kayak. There’s also an outside patio restaurant with diner style food.     

Dinosaur Park

Fun place to visit if you have small kids! There are huge dinosaur statues for the kids to climb on. This park also gives a great view of Rapid city.

Stratobowl Rim Trailhead

Easy hike to an AMAZING view of the Stratobowl! A historical location where some of the first hot air balloons were released! In 1934–1935 it housed a stratospheric balloon launch site, initially known as Stratocamp, sponsored by the National Geographic Society and the United States Army Air Corps.

Crazy Horse

Jewel Cave National Monument

Reptile Gardens

Rushmore Tramway Adventures

Keystone

A cute old mining town with downtown shops! It had its origins in 1883 as a mining town, and has since transformed itself into a resort town, serving the needs of the millions of visitors to the Mount Rushmore National Memorial, which is located just beyond city limits.

Mammoth Site

South Dakota 87

Also known as “Needles Highway”. Deemed “impossible” to construct by its critics, Needles Highway—a National Scenic Byway—was completed in 1922 and includes 14 miles of sharp turns, low tunnels and impressive granite spires.

Badlands National Park

Whether on your way up or back home, we highly recommend driving through the incredible Badlands National Park! They have Indian Tacos in the restaurant! 👀